Shares in software giant Oracle slumped 14% on Monday after the company lost its second top executive - and a potential future chief - in six months.

Stock in Oracle, the world's second largest software firm, slipped to $24-3/4 - a little over half the price of highs reached in September - after the firm's executive vice president, Gary Bloom, was poached to head another firm in California's Silicon Valley.

Mr Bloom, who is leaving to head software firm Veritas, had been with Oracle for 14 years and was seen as a likely successor to chief executive officer Larry Ellison.

"Larry's the CEO today and Larry's going to be the CEO for a very long time ... I just didn't want to wait," Mr Bloom said on Monday.

Staff losses

The resignation follows the loss of Ray Lane, president, in June after Mr Ellison, who founded the company, took on a more active role.